San Marcos Man Convicted Of Arson In 2016 Car Fires

In the early morning hours of April 20, 2016, members of the San Marcos Fire Department and San Marcos Police Department responded to a vehicle fire at the Palazzo apartments

A San Marcos man has been convicted of arson for setting two cars on fire in the spring of 2016.

Paul Lawrence Mussler (DOB 1/22/1973) pled guilty to arson Dec. 11 and received a five-year prison sentence from State District Judge Bruce Boyer.

Mussler was arrested after being indicted in May 2016. In the early morning hours of April 20, 2016, members of the San Marcos Fire Department and San Marcos Police Department responded to a vehicle fire at the Palazzo apartments, 1011 Wonder World Drive in San Marcos.

Upon arrival, responders found two unoccupied vehicles on fire, a Volkswagen passenger car and a pickup truck. Both sustained moderate damage.

The San Marcos Fire Marshal’s Office was contacted to investigate the cause of the fire, which was determined to be an intentional criminal act of arson. During the investigation, Fire Marshals identified Mussler as the suspect.

Arson is second-degree felony punishable by 2 – 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.